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Press Release

Gerald Wayne Jackson Sentenced To 14.5 Years In Federal Prison For Attempted Armed Jewelry Store Robbery

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On April 20, 2016, Gerald Wayne Jackson, 27, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was sentenced by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, Senior U.S. District Judge, to serve 175 months in federal prison.  Jackson pleaded guilty to an attempted Hobbs Act robbery and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in October 2015.

In April 2013, Jackson and his associate Diontre Danforth, 21, of Chattanooga, Tenn., who was also charged in this case, attempted to commit an armed robbery of the Kennedy Jewelry Store in Chattanooga, Tenn.  Jackson entered the jewelry store wearing a mask covering his face and armed with a .223 caliber Saiga assault rifle loaded with a magazine.  Jackson immediately fired the rifle toward the back of the store where several employees and a customer were standing.  He demanded the employees hand “all of it” over to Danforth, who had entered the store with his face covered carrying a laundry basket and pillow case.  But, before they had time to take any merchandise, one of the store managers heard gunfire, grabbed his 9mm handgun and returned fire.  Jackson fired several shots toward the manager before he and Danforth left the store.  Jackson proceeded to fire several more shots into the store.  In total, seven .223 caliber shell casings were recovered from the scene.  Several days later, an alert Chattanooga police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Danforth and Jackson, which matched the description of the vehicle used in the robbery.  Subsequent investigation of evidence recovered from the crime scene and a residence further linked both Danforth and Jackson to the robbery.  Danforth previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve nine years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Chattanooga Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Edwards represented the United States.

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Updated April 20, 2016

Topic
Violent Crime